EP2337132A1 - Modularisierte Brennstoffzellenvorrichtungen und Flüssigkeitsfließplattenanordnungen - Google Patents
Modularisierte Brennstoffzellenvorrichtungen und Flüssigkeitsfließplattenanordnungen Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2337132A1 EP2337132A1 EP10180696A EP10180696A EP2337132A1 EP 2337132 A1 EP2337132 A1 EP 2337132A1 EP 10180696 A EP10180696 A EP 10180696A EP 10180696 A EP10180696 A EP 10180696A EP 2337132 A1 EP2337132 A1 EP 2337132A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- manifold
- fluid
- fluid flow
- coupled
- fuel cell
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
- H01M8/0263—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant having meandering or serpentine paths
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
- H01M8/0273—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
- H01M8/0286—Processes for forming seals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0297—Arrangements for joining electrodes, reservoir layers, heat exchange units or bipolar separators to each other
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
- H01M8/242—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2484—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by external manifolds
- H01M8/2485—Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/249—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Definitions
- This application relates in general to fuel cell devices and fluid flow plate assemblies and in particular to fuel cell devices and fluid flow plate assemblies that are modularized.
- Fluid flow plates are structures that are designed for fluid-related applications, such as for carrying, delivering, dividing, and/or distributing one or more types of fluids.
- the term "fluid” is used here in a broad sense, which can be anything that is capable of flowing from one point to another.
- a fluid may include air, gas, liquid, viscous fluid, etc., each of which is capable of flowing or moving itself or a part of it from one point to another.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of an exemplary fuel cell device in the prior art.
- a single fuel cell 400 such as a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (also known as "PEMFC"), may include a membrane electrode assembly 410, two gas diffusion layers 405 and 406, and two fluid flow plates 401 and 402.
- PEMFC Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
- the two gas diffusion layers 405 and 406 may sandwich between them the membrane electrode assembly 410, and the two fluid flow plates 401 and 402 may sandwich between them both the membrane electrode assembly 410 and the two gas diffusion layers 405 and 406.
- the fluid flow plates 401 and 402 each may provide one or more flow channels, such as flow channels 403 and 404, and a reactant fluid may flow through each of the flow channels.
- the membrane electrode assembly 410 may include a proton exchange membrane 409, an anode catalyst layer 407, and a cathode catalyst layer 408.
- the anode and cathode catalyst layers 407 and 408 each may include platinum or platinum alloy, which may serve as a catalyst and facilitate electrochemical fuel cell reactions.
- a fuel cell module may include a membrane electrode assembly, two gas diffusion layers, two current collectors, two sealing members, a fluid flow plate assembly.
- the fluid flow plate assembly may include a first manifold, a second manifold, and a fluid flow channel.
- the membrane electrode assembly may include at least one membrane for fuel cell reactions.
- the two gas diffusion layers may be respectively coupled with two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly.
- the two current collectors respectively coupled with the two gas diffusion layers, and the two sealing members respectively coupled with the two current collectors.
- the fluid flow plate assembly may be coupled with the membrane electrode assembly at a first side of the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly, with at least a corresponding one of the two gas diffusion layers, at least a corresponding one of the two current collectors, and at least a corresponding one of the two sealing members coupled between the fluid flow plate assembly and the first side of the membrane electrode.
- the first manifold may have a fluid inlet for receiving an incoming fluid and may extend along a first direction to provide a channel for transporting the incoming fluid partially along the first direction.
- the first manifold may have at least one distribution outlet, wherein the first manifold releases at least one portion of the incoming fluid as a released fluid through the at least one distribution outlet.
- the second manifold may have a fluid outlet for discharging a discharged fluid, which may include at least one portion of the incoming fluid.
- the second manifold may extend along a second direction and have a channel for transporting the discharged fluid partially along the second direction.
- the second manifold receives the discharged fluid through at least one discharged fluid inlet on the second manifold.
- the fluid flow channel may couple between the first manifold and the second manifold and between at least one of the at least one distribution outlet and at least one of the at least one discharged fluid inlet for distributing at least one portion of the released fluid.
- the fluid flow channel may have multiple channel sections extending in at least two directions and extending substantially along a fluid distribution plane.
- the fluid flow channel have an exposed side that is coupled with a membrane of the at least one membrane. Both the first direction and the second direction may be substantially parallel with the fluid distribution plane.
- a fuel cell module may include a membrane electrode assembly, two gas diffusion layers, two current collectors, two sealing members, a fluid flow plate assembly.
- the fluid flow plate assembly may include a first manifold, a second manifold, and a fluid flow channel.
- the membrane electrode assembly may include at least one membrane for fuel cell reactions.
- the two gas diffusion layers may be respectively coupled with two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly.
- the two current collectors respectively coupled with the two gas diffusion layers, and the two sealing members respectively coupled with the two current collectors.
- the fluid flow plate assembly may be coupled with the membrane electrode assembly at a first side of the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly, with at least a corresponding one of the two gas diffusion layers, at least a corresponding one of the two current collectors, and at least a corresponding one of the two sealing members coupled between the fluid flow plate assembly and the first side of the membrane electrode.
- the first manifold may have a fluid inlet for receiving an incoming fluid and may have a channel for transporting the incoming fluid partially along the first direction.
- the first manifold may have at least one distribution outlet, wherein the first manifold releases at least one portion of the incoming fluid as a released fluid through the at least one distribution outlet.
- the second manifold may have a fluid outlet for discharging a discharged fluid, which may include at least one portion of the incoming fluid.
- the second manifold may have a channel for transporting the discharged fluid partially along the second direction.
- the second manifold receives the discharged fluid through at least one discharged fluid inlet on the second manifold.
- the fluid flow channel may couple between the first manifold and the second manifold and between at least one of the at least one distribution outlet and at least one of the at least one discharged fluid inlet for distributing at least one portion of the released fluid.
- the fluid flow channel may have multiple channel sections extending in at least two directions and extending substantially along a fluid distribution plane.
- the fluid flow channel have an exposed side that is coupled with a membrane of the at least one membrane. Both the first direction and the second direction may be substantially parallel with the fluid distribution plane.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of an exemplary fuel cell device in the prior art
- FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view diagram of a portion of an exemplary fuel cell module consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded view diagram of a portion of an exemplary fuel cell module with certain components of the module assembled consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective diagram of two exemplary fuel cell modules consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded view diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded view diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module device having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment
- FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment.
- Embodiments disclosed herein include fuel cell modules that have fluid flow plate assembly having one or more fluid flow channels. Multiple fuel cell modules may be stacked sequentially to form a fuel cell system or fuel cell battery. And electrodes of fuel cell modules may be coupled in series, in parallel, or in a combination of both to provide a desired voltage, current, or capacity. Multiple fluid flow channels may be arranged along one or more directions to provide one-, two-, or three-dimensional expansions of fluid flow channels. For example, two fluid flow channels may be placed on opposite sides of a dividing wall. In some embodiments, multiple fluid flow channels may share one or two common manifolds for the intake and/or discharge of a fluid.
- FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module device consistent with an embodiment.
- a fuel cell module F may include a main body 23 and a fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- the fluid flow plate assembly 10 may have a fluid flow channel C facing the main body 23.
- the fluid flow plate assembly 10 may be a rectangular or substantially rectangular structure in one embodiment.
- the fluid flow plate assembly 10 may include a first manifold 11 and a second manifold 12 that communicate with the fluid flow channel C.
- a reactant/incoming fluid may enter the first manifold 11 through a fluid inlet 11a of the fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- Fluid flow channel C which provides an exposed reaction area for the fluid released into the fluid flow channel (released fluid), such as a reaction area exposed to a membrane of the main section 23, to facilitate electrochemical fuel cell reactions.
- the fluid flow channel C may have an exposed side that is coupled with a membrane of the main body 23,
- the fluid, partially or fully reacted, may be discharged through the second manifold 12, and the discharged fluid may leave the fluid flow plate assembly 10 through a fluid outlet 12a of the fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- the fluid flow plate assembly 10 may include more than fluid flow channels coupled between the first manifold 11 and the second manifold 12.
- the first manifold 11 may have a fluid inlet 11a for receiving the incoming fluid and extends along a first direction (such as a direction that is generally parallel to the top edge of the fluid flow plate assembly 10) to provide a channel for transporting the incoming fluid partially along the first direction.
- the second manifold 12 may have a fluid outlet 12a for discharging a discharged fluid, and the discharged fluid, as discussed above, may include a portion of the incoming fluid (or the entirety of the incoming fluid that has been reacted).
- the second manifold 12 may extend along a second direction (such as a direction that is generally parallel to the bottom edge of the fluid flow plate assembly 10) to provide a channel for transporting the discharged fluid partially along the second direction.
- the first manifold 11 may release the incoming fluid through one or more fluid distribution outlets (the openings between the first manifold 11 and flow channels) on the first manifold 11.
- the second manifold 12 may receive the discharged fluid through one or more discharged fluid inlets (the openings between the second manifold 12 and flow channels) on the second manifold 12.
- the fluid flow channel C as illustrated in FIG. 2A , may be coupled between one distribution outlet of the first manifold 11 and one discharged fluid inlet of the second manifold 12 for distributing at least one portion of the released fluid from the first manifold.
- the fluid flow channel C may have multiple channel sections extending in at least two directions and extending substantially along the fluid distribution plane, which is parallel to the corresponding surface of the main body F. As a result, a portion of the released fluid may flow through the fluid flow channel C and through the distribution outlet to the second manifold 12 as the discharged fluid, As illustrated in FIG. 2A , both the first and second directions may be substantially parallel with the fluid distribution plane.
- the first manifold 11 may have a round (or nearly round) cross section with openings serving as the distribution outlets, which may arranged in a portion of a sidewall region of the first manifold 11. Each opening may occupy an angle range within the range of about 0 to about 180 degrees of a section of the first manifold 11 with respect to the center point of a cross section of the first manifold 11.
- the second manifold 12 may have a round cross section with openings serving as the discharged fluid inlets, which may be arranged in a portion of a sidewall region of the second manifold 12. Each opening may be occupying an angle range within the range of about 0 to about 180 degrees of a section of the manifold with respect to the center of a cross section of the manifold.
- FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view diagram of a portion of an exemplary fuel cell module device consistent with an embodiment.
- the main body 23 may include components for facilitating fuel cell reactions between two exposed fluid flow channels from two sides of the main body 23.
- the main body 23 may include two sealing members 20 and a core 30, which may include a membrane electrode assembly 301, two gas diffusion layers 302, and two current collectors 303.
- the membrane electrode assembly 301 may include one or more membranes, such as a proton exchange membrane, for fuel cell reactions.
- the two gas diffusion layers 302 may be respectively coupled with the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly 301, and the two current collectors 303 may be respectively coupled with the two gas diffusion layers 302.
- the two sealing members 20 may be respectively coupled with the two current collectors 303.
- the gas diffusion layers 302 and the current collectors 303 are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides (anode and cathode sides) of the membrane electrode assembly 301, and the current collectors 303 are exposed at the two exterior sides of the main body 23 through openings 201 of the sealing members 20.
- FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded view diagram of a portion of an exemplary fuel cell module device with certain components of the module assembled consistent with an embodiment.
- the sealing members 20 may be respectively attached to and may encompass or enclose the peripheral region of the current collectors 303 using various attachment techniques.
- Example of attachment techniques may include injection molding, hot pressing or adhesive.
- the gas diffusion layers 302 may be attached to the membrane electrode assembly 301 using various attachment techniques, such as by hot pressing.
- the sealing members 20 and the membrane electrode assembly 301 can be coupled together using various attachment techniques, such as by hot pressing or adhesive.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module consistent with an embodiment.
- the main body 23 and the fluid flow plate assembly 10 are coupled together to form the fuel cell module F.
- Multiple fuel cell modules that are the same as or similar to the fuel cell module F may be stacked over each other to provide a fuel cell system or fuel cell battery.
- the current collectors (or electrodes) of multiple fuel cell modules may be coupled in series, in parallel, or in a combination of both to provide a desired voltage, current, or capacity.
- a reactant/incoming fluid may enter into the fuel cell module F through the first manifold 11, such as from the right end of the fluid flow plate assembly 10 and flow through a fluid flow channel within the fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- the fluid flow channel may allow the incoming fluid to have contact with the main body 23 to facilitate electrochemical fuel cell reactions.
- the incoming fluid after it is partially or fully reacted, may be discharged through the second manifold 12, such as from the left end of the fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective diagram of several exemplary fuel cell modules consistent with an embodiment.
- a plurality of fuel cell modules F can be coupled together to form a fuel cell system, which may have a planar configuration in one embodiment.
- the fuel cell modules F may also be replicated and coupled along the direction of the first manifold 11, i.e., arranged side by side, with multiple fluid flow channels C of adjacent fuel cell modules F sharing common fluid intake and discharge manifolds, such as the first manifold 11 and the second manifold 12.
- certain adjacent fuel cell modules F may be coupled with each other via one or more flexible tubes or flexible tubular sections T, which enable the flow of the reactant/reacted fluid to or from different fuel cell modules F.
- one or both of the first manifold 11 and the second manifold 12 may include one or more tubular extensions coupled between two manifold sections.
- conductive contacts P on the fuel cell modules F can be electrically coupled in parallel, in series, or in a combination of both to provide electrical output of the planar fuel cell device.
- the fluid flow plate assembly 10 may include the first manifold 11, the second manifold 12, and multiple (three illustrated) fluid flow channels coupled between the first manifold 11 and the second manifold 12.
- the first manifold 11 has its fluid inlet at the right end of the first manifold 11 for receiving the incoming fluid and extends along a first direction, such as the direction indicated by the arrow at the right in FIG. 4 , to provide a channel for transporting the incoming fluid partially along the first direction.
- the second manifold 12 has its fluid outlet at the left end of the second manifold 12 for discharging a discharged fluid, and the discharged fluid may include a portion of the incoming fluid, which may have been partially or fully reacted.
- the second manifold 12 may extend along a second direction, such as the direction indicated by the arrow at the left in FIG. 4 , to provide a channel for transporting the discharged fluid partially along the second direction.
- both the first and second directions may be substantially parallel with the fluid distribution plane of the fluid flow channels.
- An example of the fluid flow channels is illustrated as fluid flow channel C in FIG. 2A that extends in at least two (vertical and horizontal) directions and extends along a fluid distribution plane.
- FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded view diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module device having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment.
- a fuel cell module F may include a main body 23 and a fluid flow plate assembly 10, each of which may have multiple sub-sections.
- the fluid flow plate assembly 10 may have a plurality of fluid flow channels C that may share common intake and discharge manifolds, such as the first manifold 11 and the second manifold 12 illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- the main body 23 may include the two sealing members 20 and the core 30 disposed between the two sealing members 20, with a plurality of current collectors 303 disposed on the opposite sides of the core 30.
- each pair of current collectors 303 at the same location may correspond to the fluid flow channels C of the fluid flow plate 10 assembly.
- Each of the sealing members 20 may have several openings 201, each of which may correspond to and expose one of current collectors 303 or a significant portion of the current collector 303.
- the various attachment techniques discussed above may be used to couple the separate components of the fuel cell module F.
- FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module device having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment.
- FIG. 5B illustrates an example of the fuel cell module F of FIG. 5A after its various components are assembled.
- the reactant fluid can flow to the fluid flow channels C through the first manifold 11 from one end of the fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- the reactant fluid may be subsequently discharged through the second manifold 12 from another end of the fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- fluid flow channels C may be placed on both sides of the fluid flow plate assembly 10, with a dividing wall between each pair of opposing fluid flow channels.
- each pair of the opposing fluid flow channels may have their outer surfaces exposed respectively to the two external sides the fluid flow plate assembly 10.
- a fluid flow plate assembly may have two or more fluid flow channels arranged (or expanded) one-, two-, or three-dimensionally.
- FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded view diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module device having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment.
- FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective diagram of an exemplary fuel cell module device having multiple fluid flow channels consistent with an embodiment.
- a fluid flow plate assembly 10 may be coupled with two main bodies 23 to form a multi-layered fuel cell module F. For each location where a fluid flow channel is placed, at least two fluid flow channels C may be respectively formed on a first side S1 and a second side S2 of the fluid flow plate assembly 10, with a dividing wall between the two opposing fluid flow channels.
- the fluid flow plate assembly 10 may be sandwiched between the two main bodies 23 so that the fluid flow channels C on the first and second sides S1 and S2 are respectively exposed to or face the corresponding current collectors 303 of the respective main bodies 23.
- the two main bodies 23 on the opposite sides of the fluid flow plate 10 may be electrically coupled, physically coupled, or both electrically and physically coupled, by a member R, which may be a binding clamp that may also be electrically conductive.
- the two main bodies 23 may be serially connected to increase the output voltage of a fuel cell device.
- a fuel cell module or device may have, in addition to the main body 23 and the fluid flow channel C described above, a parallel fluid flow channel separated from and substantially parallel to the fluid flow channel may be provided.
- the parallel fluid flow channel may be similarly coupled between the first manifold 11 and the second manifold 12 illustrated above, with the parallel fluid flow channel having multiple channel sections extending in two or more directions and extending substantially along the fluid distribution plane.
- the parallel fluid flow channel may have an exposed side.
- a parallel membrane electrode assembly may be included, which may have one or more membranes. One of the membranes may be coupled with the exposed side of the parallel fluid flow channel.
- a parallel gas diffusion layer may be coupled with the parallel membrane electrode assembly, and a parallel current collector may be coupled with the parallel gas diffusion layer.
- a sealing member may also be coupled with the parallel current collector.
- Embodiments herein provide a planar fuel cell module device and fuel cell module thereof.
- An embodiment of a fuel cell module comprises a main body and a fluid flow plate coupled with each other.
- the fluid flow plate is coupled with two fuel cell modules to form a multi-layered fuel cell module.
- the sealing member may include a polymer or insulating material
- the current collector may include a metal, an electrically conductive composite material, or one or more other conductive materials.
- the sealing member, the current collector, and the membrane electrode assembly can be connected by hot pressing or conductive adhesive. Since the fuel cell module has relatively small dimensions and is suitable for serial or parallel configuration, it can be widely applied in electronic apparatuses, vehicles, military equipments, the aerospace industry and so on.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US26738709P | 2009-12-07 | 2009-12-07 | |
TW99107218 | 2010-03-12 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2337132A1 true EP2337132A1 (de) | 2011-06-22 |
Family
ID=43034343
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10180696A Withdrawn EP2337132A1 (de) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-09-28 | Modularisierte Brennstoffzellenvorrichtungen und Flüssigkeitsfließplattenanordnungen |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8828621B2 (de) |
EP (1) | EP2337132A1 (de) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012117035A1 (en) * | 2011-03-01 | 2012-09-07 | Imperial Innovations Limited | Fuel cell comprising at least two stacked printed circuit boards with a plurality of interconnected fuel cell units |
WO2013041781A1 (fr) | 2011-09-22 | 2013-03-28 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Pile à combustible à haute densité d'assemblages membrane-électrodes partageant une cavité fluidique commune |
GB2507466A (en) * | 2012-07-16 | 2014-05-07 | Prometheus Wireless Ltd | Fuel Cell Apparatus, Composition and Hydrogen Generator |
SE1751325A1 (en) * | 2017-10-26 | 2019-04-27 | Myfc Ab | Power management for fuel cell assembly |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110136042A1 (en) * | 2009-12-07 | 2011-06-09 | Chi-Chang Chen | Fluid flow plate assemblies |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5629104A (en) * | 1994-11-23 | 1997-05-13 | Detroit Center Tool | Modular electrical energy device |
US20090075153A1 (en) * | 2007-09-13 | 2009-03-19 | Son Inhyuk | Fuel cell system |
US20090155663A1 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2009-06-18 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells |
Family Cites Families (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU664703B2 (en) * | 1991-06-04 | 1995-11-30 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Gasketed membrane electrode assembly for electrochemical fuel cells |
US5514487A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1996-05-07 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Edge manifold assembly for an electrochemical fuel cell stack |
US6017648A (en) * | 1997-04-15 | 2000-01-25 | Plug Power, L.L.C. | Insertable fluid flow passage bridgepiece and method |
US6232008B1 (en) * | 1997-07-16 | 2001-05-15 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Electrochemical fuel cell stack with improved reactant manifolding and sealing |
US6174616B1 (en) * | 1998-10-07 | 2001-01-16 | Plug Power Inc. | Fuel cell assembly unit for promoting fluid service and design flexibility |
US6127058A (en) * | 1998-10-30 | 2000-10-03 | Motorola, Inc. | Planar fuel cell |
US6274262B1 (en) * | 1999-08-24 | 2001-08-14 | Plug Power Inc. | Fuel cell bi-cooler flow plate |
JP4576646B2 (ja) * | 1999-09-30 | 2010-11-10 | アイシン精機株式会社 | 燃料電池 |
US6410179B1 (en) * | 2000-04-19 | 2002-06-25 | Plug Power Inc. | Fluid flow plate having a bridge piece |
JP2004119185A (ja) | 2002-09-26 | 2004-04-15 | Nitto Denko Corp | 燃料電池 |
JP2004119189A (ja) | 2002-09-26 | 2004-04-15 | Nitto Denko Corp | 燃料電池 |
JP2004273264A (ja) | 2003-03-07 | 2004-09-30 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | 燃料電池スタック |
TWI232608B (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2005-05-11 | Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board | Flat panel direct methanol fuel cell and method of making the same |
TWI244792B (en) * | 2004-08-18 | 2005-12-01 | Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board C | Flat panel direct methanol fuel cell and method of making the same |
TWI243505B (en) * | 2004-08-20 | 2005-11-11 | Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board C | Method of manufacturing a flat panel direct methanol fuel cell |
JP4862256B2 (ja) | 2004-10-05 | 2012-01-25 | 大日本印刷株式会社 | 平面型の高分子電解質型燃料電池用のセパレータ |
SE0402471D0 (sv) | 2004-10-12 | 2004-10-12 | Anders Lundblad | Electrochemical device |
TWI257189B (en) * | 2004-12-08 | 2006-06-21 | Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board C | Electrode plate of a flat panel direct methanol fuel cell and manufacturing method thereof |
TWI237920B (en) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-08-11 | Delta Electronics Inc | Stacked fuel cell assembly |
US7494737B2 (en) * | 2005-12-08 | 2009-02-24 | Panasonic Corporation | Fuel cell having manifold apertures and cover plates |
JP2007273433A (ja) | 2006-03-06 | 2007-10-18 | Nitto Denko Corp | セルユニット、セル接続方法、及び、燃料電池 |
CN101479876B (zh) | 2006-04-11 | 2013-01-02 | myFC股份公司 | 改进的电化学装置 |
US9287570B2 (en) | 2006-04-11 | 2016-03-15 | Myfc Ab | Planar configuration air breathing polymer electrolyte electrical device including support plate and bearing plate |
WO2009025613A1 (en) | 2007-08-20 | 2009-02-26 | Myfc Ab | An arrangement for interconnecting electrochemical cells, a fuel cell assembly and method of manufacturing a fuel cell device |
US20110136042A1 (en) * | 2009-12-07 | 2011-06-09 | Chi-Chang Chen | Fluid flow plate assemblies |
US20110132477A1 (en) * | 2009-12-07 | 2011-06-09 | Chi-Chang Chen | Fluid flow plate assembly having parallel flow channels |
US8691473B2 (en) * | 2009-12-07 | 2014-04-08 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Fuel cell module having non-planar component surface |
-
2010
- 2010-08-20 US US12/860,460 patent/US8828621B2/en active Active
- 2010-09-28 EP EP10180696A patent/EP2337132A1/de not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5629104A (en) * | 1994-11-23 | 1997-05-13 | Detroit Center Tool | Modular electrical energy device |
US20090155663A1 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2009-06-18 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells |
US20090075153A1 (en) * | 2007-09-13 | 2009-03-19 | Son Inhyuk | Fuel cell system |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012117035A1 (en) * | 2011-03-01 | 2012-09-07 | Imperial Innovations Limited | Fuel cell comprising at least two stacked printed circuit boards with a plurality of interconnected fuel cell units |
US9954243B2 (en) | 2011-03-01 | 2018-04-24 | Imperial Innovations Limited | Fuel cell comprising at least two stacked printed circuit boards with a plurality of interconnected fuel cell units |
WO2013041781A1 (fr) | 2011-09-22 | 2013-03-28 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Pile à combustible à haute densité d'assemblages membrane-électrodes partageant une cavité fluidique commune |
FR2980644A1 (fr) * | 2011-09-22 | 2013-03-29 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | Pile a combustible a haute densite d'assemblages membrane electrodes partageant une cavite fluidique commune |
GB2507466A (en) * | 2012-07-16 | 2014-05-07 | Prometheus Wireless Ltd | Fuel Cell Apparatus, Composition and Hydrogen Generator |
GB2507466B (en) * | 2012-07-16 | 2015-04-08 | Prometheus Wireless Ltd | Fuel cell apparatus |
SE1751325A1 (en) * | 2017-10-26 | 2019-04-27 | Myfc Ab | Power management for fuel cell assembly |
WO2019083432A1 (en) * | 2017-10-26 | 2019-05-02 | Myfc Ab | POWER MANAGEMENT FOR FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20110136043A1 (en) | 2011-06-09 |
US8828621B2 (en) | 2014-09-09 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8105731B2 (en) | Fuel cell system | |
US6322919B1 (en) | Fuel cell and bipolar plate for use with same | |
AU2004216063B2 (en) | Externally manifolded membrane based electrochemical cell stacks | |
US8691473B2 (en) | Fuel cell module having non-planar component surface | |
US8828621B2 (en) | Modularized fuel cell devices and fluid flow plate assemblies | |
CN102255088A (zh) | 燃料电池模块 | |
EP2337131B1 (de) | Zweiseitiger Flüssigkeitsverteiler mit parallelen Flusskanälen | |
EP2860807B1 (de) | Brennstoffzellenstapel | |
WO2007126032A1 (ja) | 燃料電池およびそのセパレータ | |
US20090123784A1 (en) | Fuel cell module | |
JP5235581B2 (ja) | 燃料電池セパレータ | |
JP5564380B2 (ja) | モジュール化された燃料電池装置および流れ場プレートアッセンブリ | |
EP2337133B1 (de) | Fluidverteileranordnungen | |
JP2004119189A (ja) | 燃料電池 | |
JP5564381B2 (ja) | 燃料電池装置 | |
US10186727B2 (en) | Fuel cell stack | |
US8455150B2 (en) | Fuel cell stack having reactant carrier plates delivering both anode and cathode reactants | |
EP4138163B1 (de) | Interne kühlmittelentgasung für brennstoffzellenstapel | |
US20230411665A1 (en) | Fuel cell | |
US20230014206A1 (en) | Fuel cell and method of manufacturing the same | |
JP5318058B2 (ja) | 平行な複数の流路を有する流れ場プレートアッセンブリ | |
JPH06188022A (ja) | 固体電解質型燃料電池 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME RS |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20110831 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20140313 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20140724 |